epidemiology | EVENT ★ GONE FISHIN'

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EVENT ★ GONE FISHIN'

Thanks to your help, repairs to the flood wall are complete. The Nalawi are still largely without their Gifts, so they are thankful -- without the aid of ALASTAIR recruits, they would have surely drowned or been eaten by sea monsters.

Despite the barely averted disaster, the residents of Komo have decided to go along with their lives as planned, perhaps to bolster morale instead of giving into despair. By chance, their annual fishing contest is scheduled for today! As honored guests, recruits are invited to participate.

FISHING CONTEST

Dugout canoes are provided for all participants, patterns that suggest fish scales burned into the wooden sides. Curiously, no fishing rods are offered; if a recruit requests one, they will be given a strange look, but the harbormaster will acquiesce.

Due to the rough seas, the passage between Komo and the other islands is still inaccessible. Contestants are reminded to stay behind the reefs or venture east toward open ocean for their quarry. It’s only when the contest begins that the quarry in question is actually announced . . .

Sharks.

You are fishing sharks. And, judging by the lack of equipment (or the puny fishing rod you requested), you’re expected to do this by hand.

The tiny deer people don’t seem bothered by this predicament at all: the goal is to catch the biggest shark, by length and poundage. Better not embarrass yourself in front of the locals.

GET PUMPED

Mettaton has announced over the jewelry that he will be hosting a celebration in tandem with the fishing contest, in order to help the native Nalawi and the ALASTAIR recruits get to know each other better. This includes singing, dancing, and all sorts of different performances -- and, of course, reporting on the actual fishing.

If you aren’t the fishing type or maybe you just need a break from chasing sharks around, this is a good chance to bust a move and show your teammates how you can get down -- or just sit back and watch! It’s bound to be entertaining one way or another.

Plot for the stage here!

Olivia will be the final performer in the showcase. Anyone who witnesses her dancing may feel themselves super-charged by the spectacle . . . with possibly unexpected results! Characters may feel even more determined to win the fishing contest, or perhaps they’ll take this surge of optimism to help rebuild some of Komo’s destroyed buildings before the day winds down into night.

THE FEAST

After the fishing contest, the sharks will be collected and prepared. Grilled shark, fried shark, shark caviar, and shark jerky from the results of last year’s contest. There are fruits and vegetables and breads available as well, but if you want some protein, you’d better go native.

During the feast, some of the Nalawi perform dances and song. The subjects range from their goddess Nalanni to love songs. Want to show off your talents again? Now’s the time! Or, if you’d prefer to step away from the excitement, the beach is quiet and empty, and the baths are unoccupied since the whole of Komo is at the gathering.

As the feast winds down, the Nalawi will pass around their very potent alcohol for a toast to Komo’s health. Someone shouts, interrupting, wondering what good that will do if Nalanni has abandoned them. Concerned murmuring fills the gathering, spoiling the mood. ALASTAIR recruits may attempt to put them at ease -- otherwise, the feast will disperse on a sour note.

OOC INFO

If you would like your character to win the fishing contest, please sign up below. You must thread out fishing in order to participate in the drawing. There will be only one winner, decided by RNG. The winner will be contacted on April 1st. The prize is a necklace of shark’s teeth, which has a one-use spell that will make all sharks in a one mile radius sleep for 30 seconds.

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[Wow. That actually hits a chord within her and she grows quiet. She was a servant before. A pretty toy that was ordered around. Something in which showed the status of another Gem. But it wasn't until she met Rose that her life got interesting and she learned new things and strayed from the norm.

But...]

How do you know I will be? [Pearl doesn't take an accusatory tone with that question. She's genuinely curious.]

[Same tune, different key. Ghost aren't known for their charming, out-going personalities. They got to fade into the background, spook everyone else away, and raise snails. It's a living, but it's not a life. At least, not one Mettaton ever wanted.

Sometimes you just need to find out who you are for yourself.

As for the question? Mettaton just smiles again, examining his gloves like he's inspecting his nails.]

Because if you really thought you couldn't do it, you never would have walked up to me in the first place.

Edited 2016-03-26 04:19 (UTC)

[She falls quiet and looks down at her feet, shifting her weight. Her hands grip into loose fists at her sides before she lifts her head again, her gem glowing softly.]

Y...You make a good point. [She nods curtly.] I've made it this far after all.

[In more ways than one.]

That's the correct answer!

[He laughs, patting the Gem on the shoulder.]

Just follow my lead, sweetheart. We'll blow them away.

[She looks around them as people flit about for last minute changes and the like.]

D-Don't you think we need more time to practice? What if we miss a step, o-or the music is off beat--

[And she continues to drone on about many possibilities. Even the idea of a large crab crawling up on stage to wreck havoc.]

That's the joy of being on stage! [The twirl he does is probably not necessary to get his point across. He does it anyhow.] The audience doesn't care about mistakes. They'll never know if you don't let them. Their only goal is to be entertained.

Honestly, darling, [He leans down now, expression easy.] something is going to go wrong. That's the nature of show-business. What matters is that it doesn't distract us from our performance.

[She leans back a little at him leaning down. He was so confident, even under the possibility of failure. Pearl swallows thickly as she peeks around him at the curtain. Where, outside, hundreds of deer people awaited them.

Blue eyes flicker up to him, hands straightening out her blue dress.]

Right. Of course. I'll do my best. Mr. Mettaton. For you and your show!

[There's something... odd about how MTT keeps finding himself in the company of people who never believe in themselves. Who need someone else to motivate all their creative endeavors. Living through any excitement vicariously through other people.

Okay, maybe that isn't so odd. He's a bright, shining beacon of positivity and confidence!! He inspires. He's a MUSE. And as such...]

Never, Pearly. You'll do it for you!!

[That's all the warning she gets before he's reaching for her hand and dragging her onto the stage. A magic disco-ball is shining lights into the air. Flowers are raining like confetti.

It's showtime!]

But I--!!

[Pearl inhales sharply. It's too late. She's pulled out on stage, the spotlight directed down and upon Metatton. She squints through the lights shining down upon them and paws away any flowers in which flutter too close to her face. However, one rose does settle itself into her hair, which she doesn't seem to notice.

She stands there, like a deer caught in headlights. Ironic since most of the crowd were deer... Her blue eyes ffantically glance to Metatton for assistance as the crowd waits on baited breath.]

[No time to panic now. No time to even dwell in awkward silence, like Pearl might imagine she is. There's already applause and the sound of a ukulele keying into the tune they'd been practicing. As if he'd done this a million times (and considering how many shows he's put on in the Underground, it might actually be close to that number), the star glides forward, Pearl's hand still in his, and he spins the two of them around for the crowd.

Then it's time to sing, confident enough to mask it if Pearl doesn't join in immediately. They'll never know how it's supposed to really go. Every show is an experience!]

I know I stand in line until you think you have the time
to spend an evening with me
And if we go someplace to dance
I know that there's a chance
You won't be leaving with me

[He's trying to tug her into a kind of stepping-sway with the music. They can remember the dance in a moment.]

And afterwards we drop into a quiet little place and have a drink or two
And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like "I love you"

[When he starts, Pearl eases her body language. And when they begin to move, Pearl gets into the groove. She holds onto Mettaton as they sway across the stage, a small smile pulling at her lips.

These were her two favorite things. Pearl shouldn't worry. And how this robot carries himself... it inspires her. The Gem steps with more confidence as she sings.]

I can see it in your eyes that you despise the same old lies
You heard the night before
And though it's just a line to you, for me it's true
And never seened so right before

[She twirls away from him only to draw herself back in close, hands holding onto the robot's, crossed over her chest, her back against his chest, her smile bright as she looks up at him. She even steals a glance out towards the crowd. They seemed pretty entertained...]

[Wonderful! Exquisite!

And getting close now? He can't blame her. He sways them as they sing, holding her there until he decides to push himself away, like an unsure lover, and waltz alone to another side of the stage. Hand to his heart.

It's a show, after all.]

I practice every day to find some clever lines to say to make the meaning come through
But then I think I'll wait until the evening gets late and I'm alone with you

[Pearl spins away from him in time, resting her forearm over her brow, caught in a daydream-like state as she looks skyward.]

The time is right, your perfume fills my head, the stars get red and, oh, the night's so blue

[Her hand falls, looking forlorn as she clasps her hands over her heart before she reaches out to him, taking a few desperate steps forward towards her 'unsure lover'.

Yeah, she's eating up all this. And she's actually having... fun.]

And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like "I love you"

[Yes, yes!! He couldn't be more proud. And now the song is almost over. It's time to sing louder, with more feeling! It's their emotional crescendo!!]

The time is right, your perfume fills my head, the stars get red and, oh, [Swooning, he twirls back into her arms, swaying with the rhythm.] the night's so blue...

And then I go and spoil it all... [And again, he breaks away, forlorn, voice losing its power with the weight of this pain.] by saying something stupid like "I love you"

Edited 2016-03-30 23:14 (UTC)

[Pearl holds the robot close, and dips him back as the song starts to die down, Pearl closing her eyes with a knitted brow. Repeating the last words in one last chord.]

I love you

[And she holds it for a few moments. Silence. Before she lifts Mettaton back up, in a standing position, a little out of breath from all the adrenaline.]

[Oh, what a beautiful and tragic song. What a beautiful and tragic performance! Despite being twice the gem's size, he takes being dipped with grace and gives a little twirl once he's properly on his feet again.

The last note of the song rings out into the night and the robot is laughing and clapping his hands together.]

Give it up for the lovely and talented Pearl!!

[Applause! Whistles! More flowers and confetti than actually necessary!]

[As the crowd roars in applause, Pearl bows in thanks before she steps aside, gesturing to Meattaton. She sweeps her arm outward.]

And don't forget the fabulous Mettaton who helped set this all up for you all! Give him a hand!

[And she flashes him a bright smile over her shoulder, before mouthing out a small bashful 'thank you'.]

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EVENT ★ GONE FISHIN'

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